HB 73 (2025): relative to harm reduction, substance misuse, and the governor's commission on alcohol and drug abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery.

HB 73 (2025)

relative to harm reduction, substance misuse, and the governor's commission on alcohol and drug abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Public and Mental Health
• Chapter law: 41

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2025 and referred to the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 29, 2025, with 15 people signed in online: 13 in support and 2 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on January 29, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 18–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0219h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0219h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 6, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 6, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 6, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 26, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 17, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The bill was enrolled on May 8, 2025 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2025-1912e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on May 29, 2025, making it Chapter 41 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. David Nagel (D - Belk 6) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Jess Edwards (R - Rock 31)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)
• Rep. Jennifer Mandelbaum (D - Rock 21)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 29, 2025, 10:30 AM: public hearing, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, LOB 210-211
• January 29, 2025, 10:30 AM: executive session, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, LOB 210-211
• March 6, 2025: floor debate, House
• March 26, 2025, 10:15 AM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• April 17, 2025: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• March 6, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0219h — voice vote, passed
• April 17, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 12-J:1
• RSA 12-J:4
• RSA 12-J:5
• RSA 126-A
• RSA 318-B:43
• RSA 318-B
• RSA 318-B:1

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 14, page 10
• SC 14
• SC 17